tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10887872880908542302018-03-06T20:22:23.428-05:00Cup of JoesephStuff that comes to mind typically involving theology, parenting, social awareness, junk like that.J.Rat.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18049935822036143386noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1088787288090854230.post-46058230085120038192013-09-16T22:08:00.001-04:002018-02-16T10:25:57.679-05:00Sometimes I make her cry.Oddly enough, one day shy of my year mark at returning to full-time employment, I find myself at home with a sick munchkin on a work/school day. &nbsp;She wasn't exactly sick today, but last night at bed time, she was still rocking a fever. &nbsp;So, let's stay home tomorrow with daddy! &nbsp;True to form, she was not the least bit of ill today, but I was still recovering from the Saturday night through Sunday mornings frequent trips to the bathroom to give my utmost moral support as she was "sick in the toilet." &nbsp;(That powerless feeling to take it away is horrible. &nbsp;"My tummy hurts bad and I don't want it!"<br /><br />Today, the little one had this habit...let me backtrack first. &nbsp;She asks questions now; and she's smart so she likes rational answers that she can process. &nbsp;Saying, "because I say so" or "because it just does" elicits more questions. &nbsp;It's Alice's rabbit hole, once you're in it can get quite overwhelming and baffling at times. &nbsp;Today, she asked her typical numerous questions, but her response in return was repetitively argumentative. &nbsp;"What time is it daddy?" &nbsp;"two-thirty" "No it's not!" &nbsp;"It's windy, is it a storm?" &nbsp;"I don't think so, there's no dark clouds in the sky." &nbsp;"Yes it is!" &nbsp;After this train of conversation through much of the day, I finally scolded her on it. &nbsp;The result was slightly beyond the typical tears and frustration. &nbsp;She ran to our bed, crawled under the covers and proceeded to wail. &nbsp;I gave her some space, then finally went to talk to her about it. &nbsp;I informed her that her responses and behavior (more details than I'm writing here) could be viewed as argumentative and rude. &nbsp;Rude. &nbsp;Oh my. &nbsp;That did it, and we proceeded back down the path of tears. &nbsp;Finally, after my shirt was appropriately drenched by the tears of my wonderful child. &nbsp;I suggested we go outside to the deck. &nbsp;She colored. &nbsp;I read. &nbsp;We laughed when the dumptruck "pooted" (jake-braked). &nbsp;All was right as rain.<br /><br />Later on, while I was gone to the HfH board meeting, my wife asked her about our day together. &nbsp;"Daddy took care of me and was real sweet to me." &nbsp;Wow. &nbsp;That's how she summed up her day, while I was worrying about how upset I made her. &nbsp;My wife then explained to me how she was upset that she was being rude to me; and no matter how her behavior is, being rude is not what she wants. &nbsp;That's why she was upset, I was saying she was being rude to me.<br /><br />Sometimes it's hard to be a good parent. &nbsp;You want your child(ren) to know that their perception of their actions can be and often is different that others' perceptions. &nbsp;More importantly I was reminded how close our bond is as a result of my three-year hiatus from employment. &nbsp;She cares how I view her and her words. &nbsp;She doesn't want me to be upset with her. &nbsp; That reminds me that my wife's sacrifices so I could stay at home, and my sacrifices were well worth it. &nbsp;Now, if we can just convince her that her classmates and teacher at school missed her, but didn't cry because she was absent. &nbsp;Not sure where this trace of narcissism came from....J.Rat.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18049935822036143386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1088787288090854230.post-37729390537311444112013-08-23T10:53:00.002-04:002013-08-23T10:53:49.454-04:00Are you not entertained?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowFullScreen='true' webkitallowfullscreen='true' mozallowfullscreen='true' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/FsqJFIJ5lLs?feature=player_embedded' FRAMEBORDER='0' /></div><br />Remember that scene from Gladiator with Russell Crow?&nbsp; Yeah, I cut out the gratuitous violence because, well, I'm not entertained...not anymore.&nbsp; Problem is, I absolutely love(d) this movie.&nbsp; I've had two different conversations with people in the past week that involve the fact that we don't have a TV.&nbsp; Actually, we do now, but no antenna, no cable, no dish, nothing but static unless a DVD is in and we don't even really watch those much.&nbsp; Thing is, even movies that are "great" don't really entertain me anymore.&nbsp; Pitch Perfect?&nbsp; Meh, Ok.&nbsp; Latest Batman movie with Bane?&nbsp; No really, that movie was awesome, but when I was finished, I didn't really care that I just watched 3 hours of waiting for greatness to happen.&nbsp; Identity Thief?&nbsp; Funny, but not really, more painful and infuriating.&nbsp; Skyfall?&nbsp; Liked it, but am more intrigued with the original texts written by Fleming in the 50's.&nbsp; (Much less spy gadgetry in them and quite dated, but fun to read.)&nbsp; It's weird.&nbsp; I'm just not entertained anymore.<br /><br />Both conversations I've had regarding that I don't have a TV involved the bombardment of "What do you do?!?!"&nbsp; Well, ask my wife?&nbsp; She'll probably tell you that I either read, play that little game on my phone, or just won't shut up.&nbsp; That's the self-deprecating answer, which she would never give.&nbsp; Truth is, yeah, I'm reading, or playing some sort of free puzzle-game on my phone, or I'm conversating with her or little bit, or playing trains, or letting my hair get "fixed."&nbsp; There's numerous face-to-face engagements I'm trying to do with my family or we enjoy the lower tech options of playing outside, riding bikes, building legos,&nbsp;doing my nerdy hobby....&nbsp; I'm not so dry that I only read non-fiction either.&nbsp; Much&nbsp;of my books are filled with gratuitous violent battles, but I no longer need to see blood splattered across an actor writhing in pain in the dirt.&nbsp; My imagination is much more mundane and I don't become desensitized to the crap on TV.&nbsp; It's crap.&nbsp; The only vice I had regarding the TV was professional wresting, and I got friggin' bored watching it, and relied upon a 5 minute read on-line to figure out what happened last night.<br /><br />Entertained?&nbsp; No longer.&nbsp; I like movies, or at least still like the idea of them.&nbsp; IAt least the idea of those that are geared more towards the munchkin and not adults.&nbsp;I'm not even sure how what passes an entertainment does now.&nbsp; I'm also not sure the point of this blog entry either other than to attempt to get back into writing every now and then.&nbsp; Maybe I'm just getting old.&nbsp; Not sure, but I'd rather not have the TV on just to have background noise.J.Rat.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18049935822036143386noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1088787288090854230.post-82122592844103457632013-01-30T10:48:00.000-05:002013-01-30T10:48:00.644-05:00You just don't know.My wife called me last night from Robertson County, TX.&nbsp; It's one of those big counties that are flat.&nbsp; The OSR runs through it, and in it's Central Texas way, it's beautiful.&nbsp; Grasslands, those copses of the gnarled trees (what kind of tree they are escapes me at this moment).&nbsp; She called to tell me that deep on the horizon a storm is rolling in.&nbsp; I love storms.&nbsp; Tornados?&nbsp; No.&nbsp; Hurricanes?&nbsp; No.&nbsp; Big, old-fashioned thunderstorm with rain, lightning, thunder, and not too much wind?&nbsp; Yes.&nbsp; The sun was setting in a pink sky, and on the horizon was the deep black clouds dancing with the lightning.&nbsp; She dedicated it to me.&nbsp; I wished I could have seen it.&nbsp; This morning, she posted a picture of the sunrise.&nbsp; Beautful, tranquil, exact opposite of the violent thunderstorm.<br /><br />I'm not attracted to violence, but the majesty of the storm.&nbsp; The majesty of the quiet dawn the next morning.&nbsp; I'm attracted to the vastness of the ocean too.&nbsp; I'm a spiritual person, but haven't cultivated it well lately, but I feel closer to the divine with weather and nature.&nbsp; Man, as far as I'm concerned, will never tame the thunderstorm, nor control the sea.&nbsp; That alone is for the holy; and for us to wonder.&nbsp; <br /><br />I'm a bit reflective this week.&nbsp; The day before we closed on our house, which is was a surreal process in itself, we found out that my wife's Nana died in her sleep.&nbsp; Her passing is why my wife is in Texas this week.&nbsp; I'm single parenting it this week, which is more difficult than I imagined; and that's coming from a three year stay at home dad.&nbsp; Hats off to the single parents who may stumble upon this blog.&nbsp; I haven't handled my stress too well this week as a result of all the ups and downs, but I keep hearing the old African-American Spiritual:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://1.gvt0.com/vi/vg_8L96E3eU/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/vg_8L96E3eU&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/vg_8L96E3eU&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div><br /><br />Wade in the water....<br />wade in the water children....<br />wade in the water....<br />God's a-gonna trouble the water.<br /><br />My waters are troubled.J.Rat.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18049935822036143386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1088787288090854230.post-38823506836305944972013-01-19T23:02:00.001-05:002013-01-19T23:02:16.315-05:00Sin, an Exposition.After a lengthy conversation with my wife, I started questioning my definition of sin. &nbsp;You see, my typical concept of sin is any action/behavior that separates one from God. &nbsp;There's numerous sins laid out in the Bible, along with abominations, ten commandments, the seven deadly sins, etc.... &nbsp;We, as a society, have even laid out what is considered sinful or not and much of it differs amongst Christians. &nbsp;Is divorce an abomination as defined Biblically? &nbsp;Is is still ok to have slaves? &nbsp;What about what does it truly and honestly mean for a man to be the head of their household? &nbsp;I'm, actually, not about to attempt to answer those questions. &nbsp;In the words of Bill Leonard, "but I digress." &nbsp;I started to think about my previously mentioned definition of sin, I still think it's a good definition, but falls short under my own scrutiny. &nbsp;Then I also remembered this&nbsp;quote from my theology instructor: &nbsp;"Working with the poor is tough because they smell of our sin." --E. Frank Tupper. &nbsp;Which, in turn, made me think. <br /><br />I feel that humanity is made in the image of God, Imago Dei. &nbsp;This is what separates us from all the rest of creation. &nbsp;If we all have this inherent divine image, then why isn't sin also anything that crushes/diminishes/belittles the Imago Dei in others? &nbsp;Actually, I think it is. &nbsp;That's why poor people smell of our sin. &nbsp;It's not only actions that can hurt the spirit of others, it's inaction. &nbsp;It's laws, lack of laws, doing the wrong thing, sitting silent and not doing what ought to be done. &nbsp;It's denying humanity to others because a portion of that humanity is the shared divine. &nbsp;It's sin. &nbsp;By all means, this isn't truly an "exposition." &nbsp;It's a thought that sprouted into an idea, and needed to be placed outside of my imagination.J.Rat.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18049935822036143386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1088787288090854230.post-76210347364055314832013-01-02T11:16:00.000-05:002013-01-02T11:16:17.424-05:00Sermon from December 30th.<br /><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">This past Sunday, I had the pleasure of preaching at both traditional services at Keith Memorial UMC in Athens, TN.&nbsp; For those of you who may or may not be interested, I’ve posted the scripture and manuscript below.&nbsp; The Scripture is NRSV, and I did quote an article from the Huffington Post, but since I wasn’t “publishing” or turning this in for a grade, I didn’t include the reference in a footnote.&nbsp; So, apologies to the original author, I’m not plagiarizing...really, I’m not.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div><div style="font: 12.0px Georgia; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div><div style="font: 12.0px Georgia; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Colossians 3.12-17.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Georgia; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">God’s Chosen Ones</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Georgia; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div><div style="font: 12.0px Georgia; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 36.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.&nbsp; Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.&nbsp; Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.&nbsp; And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body.&nbsp; And be thankful.&nbsp; Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.&nbsp; And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (NRSV)</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Georgia; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 36.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div><div style="font: 12.0px Georgia; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div><div style="font: 12.0px Georgia; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Here we are.&nbsp; Five days after Christmas Day.&nbsp; The hustle and bustle is over, we’re in recovery.&nbsp; Eating too much, reaching our thresh-hold of togetherness.&nbsp; Missing those who just didn’t “come-in” this year.&nbsp; The holidays bring a range of emotion for all of us, some good and some bad. &nbsp; The point is, though, is that once again we celebrated the birth of our risen Lord and savior.&nbsp; Before we head forward, let’s look back over the past few weeks of the church calendar.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Georgia; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>We celebrated Advent, we “prepared our hearts and minds” for the coming Lord; and I think this article in the Huffington Post sums it up best:</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Georgia; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div><div style="font: 12.0px Georgia; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 36.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">“During most of December, Christians observe Advent, a four-week season of reflection, preparation, and waiting that precedes the yearly celebration of Jesus’ birth...The mood is somber as December moves toward deeper darkness, and the night lengthens.&nbsp; The world awaits, and it is time to prepare for the arrival of God’s kingdom.&nbsp; It is not Christmas.&nbsp; It is Advent.&nbsp; Churches are not merry.&nbsp; There is a muted sense of hope and expectation.&nbsp; Christians recollect God’s ancient promise to Israel for a kingdom where lion and lamb will lie down together.&nbsp; The ministers preach from stark biblical texts about the poor and oppressed being lifted up while the rich and powerful are cast down, about society being leveled and oppression ceasing.&nbsp; Christians remember the Hebrew prophets and long for a Jewish Messiah to be born.&nbsp; The Sunday readings extol social and economic justice, and sermons are preached about the cruelty of ancient Rome and political repression.”</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Georgia; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 36.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div><div style="font: 12.0px Georgia; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>As the author here points out, THAT is Advent, not Christmas.&nbsp; According to ancient Christmas tradition, the season of Christmas begins with Christmas Eve, moves rejoice-fully into Christmas day, and then on into the twelve days following Christmas.&nbsp; <b>This</b> is Christmas.&nbsp; We’re now IN the Christmas season.&nbsp; Hallejuia for unto us a savior is born.&nbsp; The promised Messiah.&nbsp; The Son of God.&nbsp; Immanuel.&nbsp; God in the flesh.&nbsp; Jesus the Christ.&nbsp; THIS.&nbsp; This birth signifies the </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px; text-decoration: underline;"><b>beginning</b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> of the f</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px; text-decoration: underline;"><b>ulfillment</b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> of the </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px; text-decoration: underline;"><b>promise</b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> of </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px; text-decoration: underline;"><b>salvation</b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">.&nbsp; The promise completed on the cross of Christ, and for all of this, <b>because</b> of all of this, <b>we.</b> <b>are. a.</b> <b>chosen.</b> <b>people</b>.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Georgia; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div><div style="font: 12.0px Georgia; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Now, I would like to move back to the text for today.&nbsp; In Paul’s letter, he is writing&nbsp; to the Christian church of Colossus and is encouraging the people there to share the letter with their sister church.&nbsp; He calls them a chosen people.&nbsp; People chosen by and promised to, by God, and we too claim that promise and chosen-ness.&nbsp; By claiming this promise and chosen-ness, we are also recipients of Paul’s message and should take to heart the message laid out within. &nbsp;</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Georgia; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Honestly, I don’t know what was going on in Colossus for Paul to claim his authority; but I want to point out something going on here, today.&nbsp; Our social, political and religious environment is a powder keg, every major event creates a further divide in our country.&nbsp; Headlines about the fiscal cliff and the Newtown tragedy, on top of multiple issues this past year keeps creating divisiveness.&nbsp; All I want to say is that I have read, I have heard, and I have witnessed much anger and hate being spewed from both sides of the issues...and a lot of the nastiness and anger spewing forth has been by people who have claimed God’s promise and are CHOSEN. &nbsp;</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Georgia; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>So, coming back to our text:&nbsp; Paul writes of five virtues we should extol in our daily lives:&nbsp; compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.&nbsp; Not only should we live out these virtues, but we should clothe ourselves in them.&nbsp; Take a second to consider what it means to clothe yourself in something.&nbsp; I am standing here clothed in__________________.&nbsp; Up close, you may be able to see that I have hazel eyes, a scar on my cheek, receding hairline.&nbsp; Step back further and while you can’t tell the color of my eyes, you can tell my hair is brown, I have facial hair, and that I may or may not be smiling.&nbsp; Step further back and my facial features get blurred.&nbsp; Keep stepping back and eventually, you pretty much can’t figure out much about me at all, but you can still tell that I have on black/brown/gray pants and a _______shirt, and a tie. That’s it.&nbsp; That’s what I’m clothed in and from afar you figure that out, but not much more.&nbsp; So, as a chosen person, from afar, before any one can figure out anything else about me, others should know that I am a person who is compassionate, kind, humble, meek and patient.&nbsp; I mean, they should right? I call myself a believer...one who is called to preach every now and then and who has served three times as a youth leader in a church, including this church.&nbsp; Which means, up close, you should...THAT MUCH MORE, be able to perceive the compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.&nbsp; In turn, as chosen people, who claim Jesus as our savior, from afar, others should know that we are a people who are compassionate, kind, humble, meek, and patient.&nbsp; That’s a standard we should live up to day in and day out.&nbsp; Nigh near impossible but that’s our benchmark.&nbsp; All the time, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Georgia; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>A good friend of Candice, Annabel, and mine recently “claimed his promise of eternal life” early in December.&nbsp; Rev. Dr. Al Lynch.&nbsp; We had the pleasure of knowing him for about two years.&nbsp; I went to work for him and his church as Director of Youth Ministries when I wanted to get out of the house a little more, but still maintain being a stay-at-home-father.&nbsp; He let me bring Annabel, at the time a year and half old, to the interview.&nbsp; Essentially he spent the interview chatting with the baby, smiling, and off-handedly asking why someone with two master degrees was looking for part-time work.&nbsp; He said you’re overqualified and we can’t pay you.&nbsp; Al, though, had this magnetism with people.&nbsp; You could lay your problem on his plate and he would make you feel like the only person in the world.&nbsp; He listened, prayed, and gave you love in return.&nbsp; It was about people with him, and about relationship with others.&nbsp; Every conversation I had with the man he ended with, “I love you.”&nbsp; I love you.&nbsp; The thing is, he meant it.&nbsp; His love for the Lord, and what God had done for him in his life erupted forth in his interactions with people, and you could feel it from afar.&nbsp; He was chosen by God.&nbsp; One of God’s chosen people, and he chose to believe in the word of God,&nbsp; he chose to be a follower of Christ and he clothed himself in compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.&nbsp; He did.&nbsp; And for that, I loved that man in return.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Georgia; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I’ve been a bit out of touch with the news the past few months, readjusting to working full-time again.&nbsp; Therefore, I don’t remember if our “holiday season” was kicked off by what one Facebooker said as, “only in America can we sit around the table with family counting our blessings one day, and trample others to death the following day for the newest must have gadget at Wal-Mart.”&nbsp; Kindness?&nbsp; Compassion?&nbsp; Or just a lack of patience for the doorbusters.&nbsp; We’re chosen to be better than that.&nbsp; We’re chosen to bear with one another and forgive one another, just as the Lord has forgiven us.&nbsp; We’re chosen to, above all, clothe ourselves in love.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Georgia; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Do we clothe ourselves in enough love?&nbsp; It’s about relationship with others, and ultimately with God, this whole clothing ourselves with love thing.&nbsp; Every story in the Bible can boil down to right relationships amongst each other and with the holy.&nbsp; Maybe you feel a bit uncomfortable, like me, when you think and reflect whether you clothe yourself in Paul’s five virtues.&nbsp; I daresay that my mentor friend always, always, always bore compassion, but as a whole he sure did lead by example with his abundant love.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Georgia; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Paul does say here in his letter to the Colossians that above all we should clothe ourselves with love, which binds everything in perfect harmony.&nbsp; He writes that love binds everything in harmony, which leads to us being open to allow the peace of Christ to dwell in our hearts.&nbsp; Now this.&nbsp; This is a nice feeling.&nbsp; Love, love that binds everything in perfect harmony and ushers in peace.&nbsp; Not just any peace, but the peace of Christ dwelling within us. &nbsp;</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Georgia; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>We’ve prepared for thirty days for Christmas.&nbsp; We prepared with shopping, cooking, planning, reflection, prayer, singing, and programs.&nbsp; Now.&nbsp; Now that the preparation is over we can continue to Rejoice, rejoice, O Come, O Come Emanuel....&nbsp; For unto us a savior was born....&nbsp; When I preach, I speak primarily to myself.&nbsp; Therefore, I know for a fact that I need to be more compassionate, more kind, more humble,&nbsp; more meek, and more patient.&nbsp; I know for a fact, that I need to clothe myself in a few more layers of love.&nbsp; I know it, I know it, I know it, but I also know that I can forgive others just as Christ forgives me; and sometimes, just sometimes, I need to even allow myself a little room for self-forgiveness.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Georgia; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I feel like I’m going long so I’ll try to wrap this up.&nbsp; We’re celebrating Christmas, because God is loving enough to give us the means to “get right with God.”&nbsp; We’re celebrating Christmas because just as the nights are getting longer, soon they’ll be getting shorter and before you know it we’ll be celebrating Easter:&nbsp; The complete fulfillment of God’s covenant with humanity.&nbsp; And with that we move forth consciously aware that we are a chosen people.&nbsp; A chosen people who should be clothed with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience; and utmost in love, enabling the peace of Christ to dwell within us. We now move forth with gratitude in our hearts, singing hymns and psalms giving glory to God, for God loves us and we rejoice in his overabundant love and grace; and as God’s chosen ones, we should be so filled with God’s love and grace that it flows out of us like an erupting volcano and we cover everyone in our path from afar and close by with the love of God and the love of God’s chosen people.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Georgia; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>We’re chosen.&nbsp; Chosen to receive the gift of God’s relentless love, the gift of God’s unfailing grace, and God’s ultimate gift of salvation.&nbsp; As such, we are called to clothe ourselves in love, a love that mimics God’s overabundance.&nbsp; 2013 will bring some tough issues in our lives, just like 2012 did and every year does.&nbsp; When these tough issues arise; and you dig your feet in feeling like your in an “us vs. them” battle.&nbsp; Is it your love that shines?&nbsp; We claim to be a chosen people.&nbsp; Is what we think we are clothing ourselves in what really shows?</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Georgia; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></div>J.Rat.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18049935822036143386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1088787288090854230.post-36353337989115129302012-12-27T12:22:00.000-05:002012-12-27T12:22:06.895-05:00Cup runneth over.I've always loved Christmas.&nbsp; One of my "love languages" is gift giving.&nbsp; I haven't done as much of that lately as I have wanted, but I still like to do it.&nbsp; Around Christmas we get into the "must assert what the true meaning of Christmas is" mode.&nbsp; It's not wrong, but I think societally, Christmas is about Jesus, it is about giving and getting gifts...even though there are some families who can't participate in the commercial aspect of Christmas.&nbsp; It's about the commonality of all of us celebrating the holidays.&nbsp; I've reached the point where I like watching others celebrating Christmas so much, that I actually forget I have gifts too.&nbsp; Soon and very soon, I'll want to be the one who brings people over to my home and feed the family, creating new traditions.&nbsp; I just will.<br /><br />I'm very thankful for the many blessings I've received during this holiday season.&nbsp; Good friends having their first baby.&nbsp; Good friends getting married.&nbsp; Even the death of an amazing friend.&nbsp; While I may not be thankful for his early entry into God's Kingdom, I'm so glad to have known him for the time I did.&nbsp; This is quite an unpolished blog entry, but I like to do some writing so stream of consciousness unedited here.&nbsp; I'll end up by shamelessly plugging that I'll be preaching at KMUMC this Sunday at both traditional services and am blessed to have been asked to do so.&nbsp; I could use extra prayers as I wrap up the writing/reflection and prepare for the delivery of God's word to God's people.&nbsp; After Sunday, I'll post my sermon here so you can read it, if you so choose to.&nbsp; Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.J.Rat.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18049935822036143386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1088787288090854230.post-52707464742260503212012-11-09T10:03:00.001-05:002012-11-09T10:03:43.208-05:00If it's not your cup of tea...<br /><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">If it’s not your cup of tea, don’t drink it.&nbsp; The existence of a cup of tea "I don’t care for", just doesn’t affect the cups of tea I do care for.&nbsp; I am particularly fond of tea that has some type of “fruity” infusion taste.&nbsp; For example, right now, I have a box of Tazo Wild Sweet Orange.&nbsp; Maybe next time I will buy some Peach White Tea, or go straight Orange Pekoe.&nbsp; All probability I won’t buy Earl Gray.&nbsp; I just don’t care for it.&nbsp; Even though I don't care for it,&nbsp;I feel that the existence of Earl Gray enriches the variety of life.&nbsp; But here’s the thing.&nbsp; Just because I don’t like Earl Gray, it doesn’t mean that it’s not your favorite, nor that I think you are wrong for liking it.&nbsp; Not at all.&nbsp; Even though I don’t like it, it doesn’t mean that it cheapens the existence of the flavors of tea that I don’t like.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">To come from a different angle.&nbsp; Nicki Minaj.&nbsp; Right.&nbsp; I really really really dislike her music.&nbsp; Strong enough to question that you can even call it music.&nbsp; My current taste for music is actually the Pandora station I put together by starting with Norah Jones, and adding some Harry Connick, Jr.&nbsp; For me, the end result is an awesome station that plays the aforementioned artists plus Michael Buble, Sinatra, Etta James, Maroon 5 covering "The Way You Look Tonight," and others of this ilk.&nbsp; I like this mix a lot...as much as I don’t personally have taste for Nicki Minaj.&nbsp; But the existence of her art in no way cheapens, nor lessens the value of the others’ art.&nbsp; It just doesn’t.&nbsp; Her music, in fact, adds to the rich depth that encompasses the realm of music.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Earl Gray tea?&nbsp; Nah, I’ll pass.&nbsp; It’s not my cup of tea.&nbsp; Oh, it’s suits you?&nbsp; Great!&nbsp; I’m glad we can have a discussion about how we both enjoy tea, even if the tea is different.&nbsp; May I suggest that if it’s not your cup of tea, then don’t drink it.</span></div>J.Rat.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18049935822036143386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1088787288090854230.post-34758700413848814952012-09-12T11:13:00.001-04:002012-09-12T15:22:25.784-04:00Change (Full Circle?)Approximately three years and almost a month ago, my contract ended with VCU Health Systems as a Resident Chaplain. &nbsp;Since that time, I have been a stay-at-home dad, and have experienced all the magnificence of serving that role, and also some of the hardships regarding personal identity, social interactions, career development, etc.... &nbsp;I've had the wonderful experience of candidly writing about being a stay-at- home dad. &nbsp;<a href="http://richmondfamilymagazine.com/article/4-things-stay-at-home-dads-should-hear-come-back-add-author/" target="_blank">Shameless Plug.</a>&nbsp; Most of all I've had the up and down struggle where I want to go back to work full time and having a difficult time finding employment, not ready to put the little one in school.<br /><br />As the munchkin shows daily that she is, and has been ready for a preschool environment, I've allowed myself to really strive to go work full-time especially since the relocation to TN. &nbsp;As I made it Facebook official yesterday, I've been hired; and I am so lucky/thankful and I am actually blessed enough to land a "dream job."<br /><br />(This is where the Full Circle part comes in.) &nbsp;I'm going back to the place where I started my employment the summer before my 9th grade year: &nbsp;the Y. &nbsp;I put about 10 seasons in at that facility, and when I left back then, it was reluctant. &nbsp;Yet my journey through today has equipped me to go back more prepared and ready to actually "go back". &nbsp;So, full circle? &nbsp;Sure. &nbsp;Giving back to the organization in the exact facility (with some updates/additions/improvements); giving back to the "home community"; and through some new programs some giving back to my elementary school/high school/undergrad and other schools in those systems. &nbsp;Excited? &nbsp;You better believe it! <br /><br />Now here is the hard part: &nbsp;change. &nbsp;I'm a creature of habit. &nbsp;I like my routines. &nbsp;I have overall enjoyed the past three years and one month of non-employment/part-time employment. &nbsp;So on Monday, as I really commute to work for the first time, I'm taking the munchkin to preschool (at the church where I used to be Youth Minister...giving back.) &nbsp;All of that, well, scares and excites me, while eliciting a sadness regarding the end of our partnership in crime <b>AND</b> the fact that in a blink of my eye, she'll be 18 and going to college. &nbsp;Wasn't it just last month when she laughed for the first time? &nbsp;Last week she started walking? &nbsp;Yesterday talking? This morning riding her bike? &nbsp;Yeah, it feels that way. &nbsp;She's so small, but so big.<br /><br />So as I readily and excitedly head back to the realm of full-time employment, I also drag my feet and envision her new teacher having to tell me, "She'll be okay. &nbsp;Aren't you late for work?" &nbsp;I'll agree. &nbsp;Rip it like a band-aid, and tearfully shuffle back to the Jeep, hoping that the one mile drive to work up Cook Drive gives me enough time to recollect myself.<br /><br />Monday. &nbsp;It'll happen. &nbsp;We could use an extra prayer or two.<br /><br />Addendum:<br /><br />Speaking of Full Circle. &nbsp;When I started this stay at home gig, sometime after my wife reluctantly trudged off to work, but prior to 8am, Little Bit would wake up and need to be fed. &nbsp;I dutifully changed her, fed her, and rocked her right back down for the early(not time to start the day yet) nap. &nbsp;We would tuck in on the spare bed, pillows/wall blocking her on the right. &nbsp;My right arm shaped liked an "n" pulling her close to me. &nbsp;Essentially she was tucked in against me. &nbsp;We would sleep and log another 45min-60min of sleep. &nbsp;Slowly that dwindled and changed.<br /><br />Today, while the Munchkin was refusing to take an afternoon nap, and I was trying to get one in before I lose all nap privileges, she shuffled down into our bedroom and hopped the bed. &nbsp;I asked, "wanna take a nap?" &nbsp;"In mommy-daddy's bed? &nbsp;Sure!" &nbsp;She scooted under the covers and scrunched right up to my right side, just like we used to do. &nbsp;Perfect way to end this chapter for me. &nbsp;Hope she'll try again tomorrow and Friday. &nbsp;Full Circle.J.Rat.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18049935822036143386noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1088787288090854230.post-23138687230585381852012-09-07T12:08:00.001-04:002012-09-07T12:08:25.866-04:00Sage wisdom.Somedays, it just hits me that I've missed gaining so much wisdom by not fully appreciating the day-to-day hanging out with a three year old. &nbsp;Today is Friday, which by the end of the work week for the employed means a reprieve from work. &nbsp;Patience is usually thinner on Friday, but people are given a break simply because it's Friday.<br /><br />For me, sometimes Friday signals the end of the week where I'm not rocking it solo wrestling the ball of pure energy (sprinkled with a dash of sass, and on this Friday, attitude.) &nbsp;I'm a little short with her because of the attitude, but here's the kicker, she's short with me too. &nbsp;She's a bit tired, ready for mommy to be here with "a T-shirt" because the t-shirt signals home for the day/weekend for the munchkin. &nbsp;Then, just when I'm at the "you're going to have an early nap!" moment, she pulls out the extended grace. &nbsp;I'm asked, "Can you help me with the bwocks? &nbsp;I want to build a swimmy-pool castle with you." &nbsp;I might have been suckered in, but really, the next block of time spent was more positive and loving than expected. &nbsp;So suckered in? &nbsp;I think not.<br /><br />Grace. &nbsp;Not giving you what you deserve. &nbsp;I probably deserve a melt-down for not showing my usual kindness. &nbsp;Yet, there she is with her humidity adjusted hair, sitting in the floor with her blocks. &nbsp;Thanks munchkin. &nbsp;Even though you're too young to understand the words, your gift to me will now be extended back to you, your mother, and any other soul I come into contact with today.<br /><br />I need to pay more attention. &nbsp;The Lord (and my wife) gave me three+ years spending time with this magnificent creation; and sometimes I just don't see what's in front of my face.J.Rat.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18049935822036143386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1088787288090854230.post-82792666052289650872012-09-05T23:19:00.002-04:002012-09-05T23:19:35.938-04:00Hope is a Dangerous Thing.So, I don't know if the phrase is a cliche, famous saying or what, but I believe it's true. &nbsp;Think about it. &nbsp;To be candid, my high school football team, normally doesn't have a winning chance against the cross-creek rival. &nbsp;Yet every year we hope that this will be the year and the kids play their guts out. &nbsp;Hope. &nbsp;It's the busting your butt every day at a job you hate, just because you hope your children won't have to. &nbsp;Hope. &nbsp;Hope for change, gives people reason not to commit suicide, or to battle addiction, or to face the horrific effects of chemo. &nbsp;Hope instills drive to do the impossible. &nbsp;When hope is non-existent, people quit. &nbsp;In the right hands, hope is truly dangerous.J.Rat.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18049935822036143386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1088787288090854230.post-25582092310895827712012-09-05T23:15:00.003-04:002012-09-05T23:15:59.857-04:00Sacred.So, I've been thinking again, which as I might have mentioned before is dangerous. &nbsp;I feel like out of all of God's magnificent creation, that the most sacred of it is humanity. &nbsp;Man/woman was/is made Imago Dei, in the image of God. &nbsp;Nothing else is, I feel that is a trump card. &nbsp;Internally, I'm placing the sacred person in juxtaposition with the sacred text of the Bible. &nbsp;As I read in an article that interviewed one of my former professors, he stated something akin that the Bible should be a moral conversation point for dialogue and not the end of the discussion. <br /><br />I think, too often, the Bible is used to end the conversation in regards to peace, love, and justice ignoring the sacred Imago Dei of those who are different than us.<br /><br />Just a thought.J.Rat.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18049935822036143386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1088787288090854230.post-51447986646718342872012-08-30T22:11:00.000-04:002012-08-30T22:11:39.938-04:00Of Dents, Baggage, and Marriage.Today is our 9 year wedding anniversary and now at the end of the day after we had a late dinner of Hibachi takeout, the Muses have my creativity flowing. &nbsp;Yesterday I screened Cars2 with the little one and there's this scene with Mater. &nbsp;He's confused as a spy and is given some equipment to disguise him as any kind of truck imaginable. &nbsp;Problem is is won't work properly with his dent in his fender. &nbsp;He refuses to fix the dent because each and every one is "valuable" because he got them hanging out with his best friend. <br /><br />So here's the thing. &nbsp;We all have dents. &nbsp;We bring dents to the table and we get new ones along the way. &nbsp;Another way to think of it is we all have baggage. &nbsp;We all are cracked, broken, scarred, etc.... &nbsp;We have them, we earn new ones, and we even dish them out to others. &nbsp;Simply, we aren't perfect.<br /><br />Marriage isn't one of those journeys where you choose to embark because you hope the person you are with will change. &nbsp;Bad news is that they are who they are and they're not changing. &nbsp;That quirk that annoys you will continue to annoy you. &nbsp;If you can't communicate now, you won't communicate later on. &nbsp;If you don't like his/her personality, it's not going to change. &nbsp;Good news is that they are who they are and they will change. &nbsp;Well, not really change, but grow; and being married means that you are willing to grow and change with them.<br /><br />More than nine years ago, I "met" my wife. &nbsp;(We knew of each other prior, but we "met") &nbsp;I became infatuated immediately. &nbsp;The more I learned of the dents, fragments, and scars she brought to the table, the more the infatuation grew into love. &nbsp;We created new dents with each other and decided that we would endure this journey together for the rest of our lives on this earth. &nbsp;We make new dents all the time; and honestly, some of them hurt. &nbsp;Here's the deal, she loves me for all my dents, all my brokenness, all my scars, new and old; and every day I look at her and think, "Let's do this again."<br /><br />Candice, I'm not the best with words. &nbsp;I'm worse with emotions. &nbsp;I'm worst at putting them together. &nbsp;Thank You for all the dents we've made together. &nbsp;I love you much.J.Rat.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18049935822036143386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1088787288090854230.post-74370547310343080512012-08-24T12:02:00.001-04:002012-08-24T12:02:48.964-04:00Without the valley, would you appreciate the mountain?So, normally, we're a low-key family...even with a three year old. &nbsp;This AM, we had a nuclear melt-down in Target. &nbsp;She wants to push the "shoppy-cart" now. &nbsp;No problem, but after not paying attention and bumping into the thirteenth end-cap, knocking stuff off, it was time to cut it out. &nbsp;Yeah, we were "those people" in Target this morning, if you were there too. &nbsp;Well, I apologize. &nbsp;Then we hit up Trader Joe's, no problems through the store. &nbsp;The cashier placed our box of nectarines on the bottom of the cart, which needs to be redesigned because right behind the Jeep box slides out, flips over, and the fruit is on the ground. &nbsp;Awesome! &nbsp;* begin sarcasm font* Thankfully the cart wrangler asked if he could take my cart. &nbsp;Thank &nbsp;you, but I did park next to the cart corral. &nbsp;*end sarcasm font* &nbsp;Not too bad, yet we had another meltdown at the County Clerk office. &nbsp;No wait, not there long, but she decided to sit in the red chair when we were finished...and she dug her heels in about not leaving. &nbsp;I actually found it quite comical looking in the other offices and seeing the "I hope they're not coming in here" looks on the employee's faces.<br /><br />All that to say, it was a "difficult" morning in comparison to most of our mornings. &nbsp;Things have moved in a positive direction (if you care). &nbsp;I had help washing the Jeep, and had to help wash a tricycle and a princess bicycle.<br /><br />But here's the sickeningly positive spin I'm putting on it today: &nbsp;If these days didn't exist, would I appreciate the days where things went as smooth? &nbsp;It's also like appreciating that full night of sleep you get after a long stint (or even one night) of not sleeping well. &nbsp;So, even if your day is junk today, I'm not going to tell you to get over it, just remember on that good day where things are swimmingly, appreciate it. &nbsp;Positive self-talk at it's best. &nbsp;I hope your day is going well, if not, well, there's tomorrow.J.Rat.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18049935822036143386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1088787288090854230.post-30245036926808158512012-08-23T11:15:00.003-04:002012-08-23T11:15:59.719-04:00People and LifeThis morning, I forced the little one to ride with me down the Greenway. &nbsp;I enjoyed the almost crisp fall-is-on-its-way morning bike ride listening to Ms. AnnaB name every part of the Greenway after some area of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodor_(fictional_island)">Island of Sodor</a>. &nbsp;We hit the park on the way back and after a few minutes a gentleman (grandfather) and his grand-daughter strolled up to play too. &nbsp;I sat and began to talk with the man and found out that his kids were military and he convinced them to do grad-school at UTK so he and his wife could help watch the little ones. &nbsp;Long story short, he said his life has been blessed and enriched beyond measure by being able to do this for his kids and spent his retirement years surrounded by his grands. &nbsp;He made my wheels start spinning.<br /><br />I spent most of 2011 wanting to go back to work. &nbsp;Part of the reason is financial, part is me wanting to just work, and part is wanting to prep her for the world of school. &nbsp;My wife keeps telling me that I'll never look back on this time and wish I had spent it different...and she's right. &nbsp;I've done some jobs and thought, "Wow, what was I thinking?", but not this one. &nbsp;I have the rest of my life to work. &nbsp;Now that doesn't mean that I don't want to go back to work, I just don't want to "sell my soul" for something that is not fulfilling.<br /><br />Thinking back on 2011 I also started thinking about the people I met within the past year. &nbsp;I'm one of those "loner" friends (also read as bad friend). &nbsp;This past weekend was the first time in 10 plus years that I had seen one of my very best friends from high-school...which was AWESOME by the way. &nbsp;So I was re-acquainted with thankfulness for friends. &nbsp;I would like to take a moment to publicly thank the people I met in Richmond, VA late 2010 to early 2012. &nbsp;These friends were those who I knew for a few months, but came over on a triple digit heat day to load our belongings in a moving truck. &nbsp;These friends were the one's who splurged on pizza for us instead of me splurging. &nbsp;These friends selflessly moved heavy objects knowing that since we were moving to a different state, I couldn't repay the favor. &nbsp;Thank you. &nbsp;And that is a "thank you" that is two months overdue.<br /><br />As I sit on my couch, watching Sid the Science Kid, and being fed raw carrots by a three year old; I want to be thankful for friends old and new, thankful for the fact that my wife has tirelessly carved a place for me to stay at home with the little bit, and try to remain thankful that when I don't get an interview/callback-that our family is being protected from something beyond my knowledge.<br /><br />In the end, whether I've desperately searched for a job, or enjoyed time to nap daily and improve my culinary skills, I wouldn't change the time spent. &nbsp;To be cliche today, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4QOcGgbVsQ">Time is Love</a>&nbsp;and I wouldn't have changed the time spent the past few years.J.Rat.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18049935822036143386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1088787288090854230.post-75254954537370400852012-02-10T09:10:00.000-05:002012-02-10T09:10:07.293-05:00Crazy times?Earlier today, I, without deep thought, posted "these are evil times" upon a friend's Facebook status. &nbsp;Even though I claim to be deeply spiritual, I'm usually not prone to throw words which often have supernatural connotations around. &nbsp;It's somewhat uncharacteristic. &nbsp;So I thought about it. &nbsp;Much of my thoughts today have been spurred with the news of a young high schooler in my hometown who took her own life earlier this week. &nbsp;Vague news spread like wildfire through all of my, and my wife's connections back home. &nbsp;Next thing we know there's an anti-bullying awareness march in her memory that garnered, according to the local paper "thousands" to march. &nbsp;Yet, the head-line read: &nbsp;"No link found between girl's death and bullying." &nbsp;I don't believe it. &nbsp;Grassroots movements don't begin and get thousands to follow without some foundation of truth. &nbsp;When it starts from the ground up, there's a reason. &nbsp;Evil times? <br /><br />I'm not one of those who looks back at high school as "the best times of my life." &nbsp;It was school. &nbsp;It was mandatory, and at the end of the day, I was glad to go the Y for swim practice, teaching swim lessons, and lifeguard alongside people whom I consider the greatest friends cultivated. &nbsp;School. &nbsp;It's become one of those places where, as a parent, I don't look forward to sending my child. &nbsp;I want her to have friends other than me, but to quote a good friend of mine:<br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">we will be homeschooling...and yes, we will be sheltering them until we have trained them and they are ready to face the evil that is in the world. I refuse to throw my five year old into what Christian pastors have called a "war zone" and "a pagan culture." My five year old is not equipped or mature enough to make it in "the world." It is our job as her parents to shelter her. A friend told me last night, we all shelter our children, it's just a matter of how much we shelter them is different. We have an abundant amount of reasons why we are choosing to homeschool our children...but I know this, if I send them away for 8 hours a day, I can't protect them...their hearts, their minds, or their bodies. I saw a father of a child in Columbine take the blame for what happened to his son. Why? Because he sent his child there every day. He now homeschools his other children. We can't protect our children from God's providential plan for their lives, but we can ensure we don't purposely send them out there to learn how to deal with it before they are ready. Besides how can I train them in God's ways, "when we sit in our house, when we walk by the way, when we lie down, and when we rise up," if they're never with us? Deuteronomy 6:7</span></span></blockquote><br />School. &nbsp;It's not a place that's safe. &nbsp;It never was really. &nbsp;I think we all come out of high school with various scars, but now we keep reading news report of kids getting bullied to death, teachers sexually assaulting kids, coaches practicing players to death, etc.... &nbsp;But this isn't all that's got me going this morning. &nbsp;In a relatively small town close to the urban area where I live, not much makes the news...except in the past month: &nbsp;one teenager killed over selling a dimebag of weed, twin 2 year olds killed by their dad (who then killed himself), another DV situation where a woman was killed. &nbsp;Lest we forget the dad who killed himself and sons this past week in Washington, and the list grows and grows and grows. <br /><br />As a parent, at least today, I'm struggling with how to protect my daughter long enough to equip her for this world...and how do you honestly equip someone for this world? &nbsp;Half the time, I don't think I'm equipped for this world, and as of now, I feel I'm decently adjusted to my existence. &nbsp;Well, if not, I at least haven't earned a diagnosis from the DSM-IV.J.Rat.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18049935822036143386noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1088787288090854230.post-46000047224331344282012-01-19T13:10:00.002-05:002012-01-19T13:10:22.489-05:00Virginia lawmaker: Children with disabilities are God’s punishment to women who previously had abortions.This little jewel was discovered last night by my lovely wife. &nbsp;She worked at a specialty Children's Hospital for approximately 3 years and upwards to 99% of her clientele were Children with disabilities.<br /><br />So the gist is that Virginia Delegate Bob Marshall (R) said:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri, 'Trebuchet MS', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">“</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri, 'Trebuchet MS', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The number of children who are born subsequent to a first abortion with handicaps has increased dramatically.</strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri, 'Trebuchet MS', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Why? Because when you abort the first born of any, nature takes its vengeance on the subsequent children...</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri, 'Trebuchet MS', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">In the Old Testament, the first born of every being, animal and man, was dedicated to the Lord. There’s a special punishment Christians would suggest.”</span></blockquote>Um...no. &nbsp;Are you basing this on fact? &nbsp;Can I see the study? &nbsp;But what really gets my skin crawling is "there's a special punishment Christians would suggest." &nbsp;Christians? &nbsp;I'm Christian, and the characteristics of God post-Jesus doesn't point toward a vindictive, vengeful God. &nbsp;Oh, there's Biblical evidence of God being this way, but at some point in time (approximately 2000ish years ago), God decided to rewrite the script by pouring himself into the vessel of Jesus, exemplifying love to all of humanity. &nbsp;By the way, the OT scripture he's referring to is Exodus 13.11-16 and/or 22.29. <br /><br />Point is, you shall "redeem" all your first-born, which essentially means, in regards to animals, you sacrifice a sheep for a firstborn donkey...in regards to people, well, you pay a sum to the priests at the temple....<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">which none of this has to do with abortion, an increase in handicapped children, or "nature taking vengeance." &nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />Go away. &nbsp;Oh, and if you're interested in learning more about this magnificent specimen of.... &nbsp;Here's his web-site complete with bio and contact information.<br /><br /><a href="http://delegatebob.com/">delegatebob.com/</a>J.Rat.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18049935822036143386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1088787288090854230.post-2162839873209003902012-01-19T09:14:00.000-05:002012-01-19T09:14:47.564-05:00Personal Salvation and the Kingdom of God.I've been part of an interesting conversation on one my good friend's Facebook page regarding personal salvation and the Kingdom of God. &nbsp;Essentially, my friend was eschewing the audacity of many folks who will make a statement such as, "If he/she were a 'real' Christian...." &nbsp;and how arrogant that kind of statement makes. &nbsp;(Another one that chaps my khakis is: &nbsp;"I tell you out of Christian love...." which then somehow enables and excuses the person to be a complete jerk and hide behind their "faith".) <br /><br />I made the comment that my salvation is between me and God, no one else. &nbsp;Succinct but not entailing my complete developing theological perspective. &nbsp;The discussion then entailed further how American society has placed an over-abundance upon personal salvation with the neglect of the community of faith and the Kingdom of God. &nbsp;I'm of the opinion that salvation is still personal, and part of the "fruit" of personal salvation involves partaking in Kingdom of God and the ever-present community of faith. &nbsp;There is the personal aspect and, to an extent, it should be tempered with the community and vice-versa.J.Rat.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18049935822036143386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1088787288090854230.post-6990396852307207962012-01-18T10:48:00.000-05:002012-01-18T10:48:27.988-05:00Little Timmy TebowIf you know me, you know I don't give a rip about football. &nbsp;I wasn't a default TN fan b/c I'm native to the state, nor did I become a default Colts fan b/c of Peyton. &nbsp;Either way, unless you've been under a rock, you know who Tim Tebow is and what "tebowing" means. &nbsp;(yeah, I know I'm a bit late weighing in on the commentary, now that the furor/support has simmered down.) &nbsp;At the very least Brother Tim has brought Christianity to the forefront of more people's minds than any Megachurch leader, academician, hate-filled protesting church, or end of world self-proclaimed prophet. &nbsp;Whether you like the fact that he kneels down and prays or don't, you have an opinion about it; which I think is amazing for a kid who is just doing what is natural for him. &nbsp;You may quote the Gospel of Matthew deriding him for not "praying in private." &nbsp;You may hate that your football is now intertwined with conversations about God and religion. &nbsp;Point is, with more and more pews empty on Sunday mornings, Tebow just brought his faith into the limelight. &nbsp;I don't necessarily agree with all of his tenets, and really disagree with some of the arm-chair theology he has sparked, but in the end. &nbsp;Tim has made us think about the nature of God, and how worshipping God, praying, and football relate to each other.J.Rat.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18049935822036143386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1088787288090854230.post-17903171199137320592011-12-27T20:17:00.000-05:002011-12-27T20:17:01.326-05:00End of the year.So, according to this, my last post was May. &nbsp;Really? &nbsp;May. &nbsp;Either way. &nbsp;I've been channeling my energy lately into simply spinning my wheels. &nbsp;Time to regain some perspective and get back on track. &nbsp;I decided a few months back that I wanted to go back to work. &nbsp;50+ job apps later and clearly, my job is to be a stay at home father for a bit longer. &nbsp;I've had some flip-flop about my feelings on this but reflecting on what I haven't missed out on with my daughter brings things back to what my wife and I feel is right for our family. <br /><br />Aside: &nbsp;If I were also at work, I wouldn't have been present to see the little one eat applesauce with her feet. &nbsp;I would not have had the pleasure to ride through town and have Ms. Annabel say that three different statues were me. &nbsp;(A.P. Hill: &nbsp;daddy hat. &nbsp;Jackson: &nbsp;daddy-cow. &nbsp;Columbus: &nbsp;daddy-hair. &nbsp;Both in the same day. &nbsp;I get to take 90% of the blame for the potty-training. &nbsp;I also get to know that I do my best to create a sanctuary for my wife to come home to after a day at work.<br /><br />Honestly, I don't know what's in store for the Ratledge family in 2012, but I'd like to enjoy the ride this time instead of fret about "the next big thing" for me. &nbsp;This is probably the most pointless blog-entry ever, yet I felt the urge to resurrect the life in this. &nbsp;So there you go, another cup of Joeseph.J.Rat.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18049935822036143386noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1088787288090854230.post-7974710767035750722011-05-05T22:36:00.000-04:002011-05-05T22:36:22.409-04:00Daddy Day at the Mall<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">Today was Daddy-Day care day at the mall and men who looked completed awkward with one, two, and even three children in tow found solidarity with other men whom they perceived to be just as uncomfortable. &nbsp;Smiles, nods, "how are you's" were the norm. &nbsp;I, however, must have had the look on my face that this is not uncomfortable or awkward or I just sent out a vibe where other fathers with children wanted to sit near me in the play section. &nbsp;Anti-social I felt, but when one man turned to me to talk, I took my gaze from our child, smiled and prepared myself to talk about the NBA play-offs, "gittin' Osammy been layden", the economy, or fuel prices...instead I was pleasantly surprised with, "I think Ian and Kathleen like playing with your daughter. &nbsp;How old is she?" &nbsp;Wow, normal parental talk, which I actually welcomed. &nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">"Two on the seventeenth, what about yours?"</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">"She is four and he'll be two in September, we're working on sharing on the slide."&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">Also pleasantly surprised, Ian was doing his best to turn around on the slide, while Annabel patiently waited. &nbsp;After they both went down without incident, four year old Kathleen ran up to Anna and said, "Let's play Tag!" &nbsp;Anna promptly reached out, touched her hand, yelled "taaaaaaa-eeee" then ran away with Kathleen following. &nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">I let Ms. Annabel play for a bit, but knew we were short on time. &nbsp;(Being ever prepared, I left her sippy on the counter at home and it was getting close to lunch time.) &nbsp;I did, however, feel that she would have thought I was being torturous for bringing her to the mall and not let her play in the kids area. &nbsp;So, let's play! &nbsp;A few minutes later, it was really time to head home. I scooped her up, telling her it was time to go home and eat. &nbsp;"EAT!" she yelled. &nbsp;The nuclear meltdown I was expecting was diverted, so I prompted her to tell her new friends "bye." &nbsp;"BYE!" &nbsp;This was uttered with so much intensity that Kelly Clarkson was briefly drowned out and a brief echo was heard resonating throughout the nearly deserted space. &nbsp;Kathleen, Ian, their father, and the two newly arrived families all paused and provided a collective "bye" as we made our way out of the play area, past the shoe store, the freshly baked cinnamon buns, and through Macy's. &nbsp;As I was leaving the Route 1 exit of Macy's, I passed another dad with his kids with a look of sheer terror on his face...that look that expresses his complete shock at entering a public space with both kids and no spouse in sight. &nbsp;I smiled, greeted him and wished he had a great morning out with the kids.</span>J.Rat.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18049935822036143386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1088787288090854230.post-75060515597251109592011-02-11T14:23:00.000-05:002011-02-11T14:23:44.845-05:00Social Media and Youth MinistryYesterday on Youth Worker Journal's website there was an article discussing youth ministry and social media. &nbsp;(Whole article here: &nbsp;<a href="http://ht.ly/3TRe5">http://ht.ly/3TRe5</a>) &nbsp;I found this article interesting for the fact that, being the true fence sitter that I am, I agree and disagree with all four of the interviewees. &nbsp;So here's my take for the 3 of you who follow and might read. &nbsp;Well, it's really for me to organize my thoughts for my ministry. &nbsp;I am really only going to talk about two of the four, but that's not important anyway. <br /><br />The first person, and I really like what this guy says, but we're not seeing things eye to eye, is: &nbsp;<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Mark Bauerlein, an English professor at Emory University. &nbsp;Dr. Bauerlein prohibits his students from using the internet for research. &nbsp;I get it, we need to know how to use the library, journals, etc.... &nbsp;His take is that social media cripples social interactions. &nbsp;Well, it does. &nbsp;He speaks about how communicating is not just words, but tone, inflection, body language, all of it. &nbsp;He's right. &nbsp;There is so much that can be lost in candid conversation when it is posted through tweets, wall up-dates, texts, and blogs. &nbsp;How many of us have said something in jest in an e-mail or wall update and it really, really backfired. &nbsp;Meaning was misconstrued. &nbsp;Communicating accurately failed. &nbsp;I think, that in the end, his take was that technology isolates us and cripples our social interactions. &nbsp;Once again, he's right, there's all kinds of research studies that prove his point. &nbsp;</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Now, for the other guy I liked from the article, his name is&nbsp;</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Adam McLane. &nbsp;He is now Youth Specialties' technology guy' and he spends his days immersed in the digital world, helping youth workers find community there. &nbsp;As you may be able to guess, he is a fan of technology. &nbsp;His take for youth ministry is that utilizing tech and social media is the current "getting in the trenches" form of ministry, meeting them where they are. &nbsp;There's not much more for me to comment on him, so I'm going to move to my blending and my $0.02.</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Youth ministry should incorporate both schools of thought. &nbsp;I remember when my sister and I were teenagers, we communicated via phone. &nbsp;That's it. &nbsp;Phone, and usually there was a cord attached to it too. &nbsp;This form of communication was effective, while not seeing a person, tone and inflection were not lost through the phone. &nbsp;This kind of conversation did not lend itself to the openness that Facebook can provide. &nbsp;Let me digress for a second. &nbsp;I have Facebook, my youth group has a group page, most of my folks have a profile. &nbsp;All of my group texts. &nbsp;All e-mail, but many of them rarely. &nbsp;You get the picture. &nbsp;If I post something on my profile, or on the group page, it invites others to join the conversation, even if it is a "like." &nbsp;I can jump online and see what someone posted about their Friday night and can comment. &nbsp;The last time I was a youth pastor, this wasn't so. &nbsp;Adolescents are more selective about what is shared vocally than electronically. &nbsp;Therefore, I feel like I can get to know someone more personal this way. &nbsp;I think I just heard some of your minds coming to a screeching halt. &nbsp;Yep, I can get to know some of my youth more personally through facebook, but that does not say I have a deeper spiritual relationship with them. &nbsp;This is the point where the kill switch on the phone, computer, ipad, whatever gets flipped.</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Communicating "in the trenches" per se, is not relationship building, and for a meaningful youth ministry for youth, relationships are essential. &nbsp;Therefore, meetings, small groups, church, concerts, lock-ins, retreats, and mission trips become the life blood of turning the knowing of "stuff" about people via electronic communications into meaningful relationships. &nbsp;Communicating in the trenches gets the information out to the youth in the way they will see it, read it, hear it, and respond to it.</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I guess all of this is to say that social media has slowly become a way of life for a lot of us. &nbsp;We keep up with old friends, we miscommunicate through written word and have to make a phone call to fix it, we stay on top of our friends' lives outside of school/work. &nbsp;We communicate with it, yet it doesn't build relationships as real life interactions do. &nbsp;So, embrace the technology. &nbsp;Ministry <b>can</b> function without it, relationship <b>can</b> be built without it, but embracing today's technological culture appropriately can definitely be used in ministry.&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">Also used appropriately, social media is a way for us to be "in the world and not of it." &nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father&nbsp;is not in them.&nbsp;For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.&nbsp;The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever." 1 John 2.15-17</span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: #001320; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." Romans 12.2 NLT</span></span></span>J.Rat.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18049935822036143386noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1088787288090854230.post-76284260898711281852010-08-27T22:15:00.000-04:002010-08-27T22:15:07.782-04:00Fake Christians!I'm running low on steam right now, so I don't have a whole lot of commentary for this, but I feel this study is important at gauging the religious climate of our church going adolescents. &nbsp;Here is the link to the article: &nbsp;<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/08/27/almost.christian/index.html?hpt=C1">http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/08/27/almost.christian/index.html?hpt=C1</a><br /><br />Essentially this professor/minister has conducted an in-depth study interviewing a myriad of Christian adolescents and has discovered that the majority of teens cannot articulate their faith, a basic theology of beliefs, etc.... &nbsp;Essentially, what the author concludes is:<br /><br /><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Dean says more American teenagers are embracing what she calls "moralistic therapeutic deism." Translation: It's a watered-down faith that portrays God as a "divine therapist" whose chief goal is to boost people's self-esteem.</span></blockquote>&nbsp;Fascinating. &nbsp;Honestly, when I reflect to my adolescent years. &nbsp;I can say, I went to church because the family went, it was important, now I could postulate a basic theology, but there wasn't more to it than this. &nbsp;The article is short so seriously check it out.<br /><br />Shalom, blessings, and Grace.<br /><br />J.Rat.J.Rat.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18049935822036143386noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1088787288090854230.post-91945531498362083132010-08-25T14:24:00.000-04:002010-08-25T14:24:39.274-04:00PSA of the week.Ok, so I was given a 3rd generation Iphone. &nbsp;It's pretty cool with all the stuff that it can do, I'm just not really interested in anything other than can it work as a phone, but given to me makes it fantastic.<br /><br />I was transferring my numbers over and started plugging in my wife's number and sticking I.C.E. next to it. &nbsp;Prior to being a chaplain, I had no clue to what this means: &nbsp;In Case of Emergency. &nbsp;I don't know about your hospital, but in the one I worked at there is someone who wants to get a hold of your next of kin. &nbsp;You may not be dead, just out cold. &nbsp;Keep in mind that if you have life threatening injuries, docs can operate, but if your femur is broken and not life threatening and you aren't able to say, "Fix It." &nbsp;It might just not get fixed until you can say to fix it. &nbsp;All of this can be avoided, typically, if the emergency staff know who to call. &nbsp;Your spouse, parent, sister, etc.... &nbsp;So pick up your cell phone, since it is always with you and plug a new contact, label it I.C.E. or just put Emergency. &nbsp;That way, when something heinous happens and you are in the E.D. they can get you fixed, know your allergies, know who you are, all of that great and good stuff that is important when you are laid up in a hospital.J.Rat.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18049935822036143386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1088787288090854230.post-55968365690038940042010-08-20T10:21:00.000-04:002010-08-20T10:21:27.540-04:00Spare the rod...what does it mean?Heh, you probably think I'm an idiot if I don't know what "Spare the rod" means. &nbsp;Good thing, I'm not an idiot. &nbsp;Ok, ok. &nbsp;Prior to being a parent and especially since being a parent, I have had some discussions pertaining to the Scripture passage of Proverbs 13.24:<br /><blockquote>Those who spare the rod hate their children, but those who love them are diligent to discipline them. &nbsp;(NRSV)</blockquote>The more familiar version is "Spare the rod, spoil the child." &nbsp;I'm not sure which version that is off the top of my head. &nbsp;This verse has been used frequently to justify spanking and other forms of "physical" discipline for children. &nbsp;(Now before you tune me out, automatically lumping me into an anti-spank afraid to get sued for spanking his child kind of parent, let me tell you, as of right now spanking is an option for discipline in the future for my little one as long as other forms of discipline have been tried and rendered ineffective. &nbsp;Will it always be an option? &nbsp;I don't know. &nbsp;It's not right now, because she is not of age to associate the spank with her behavior and redirection is working so I don't need to introduce a swat or a spank.) &nbsp;Allow me to proceed. &nbsp;Where was I? &nbsp;This verse has been used frequently to justify spanking. &nbsp;Not only appropriate spanking, but it has also been used to provide a Biblical mandate that I should hit my child when misbehaving. &nbsp;To this I provide a resounding, "NO!" &nbsp;It's just not good responsible Biblical interpretation.<br /><br />The second part of the verse speaks of discipline and love...but "those who love them (their children) are diligent to discipline them." &nbsp;Love is not abusive or violent, it is&nbsp;<u><b>NOT</b></u> Abusive or Violent. &nbsp;Discipline is not abusive or violent, it is&nbsp;<b><u>NOT </u></b>Abusive or Violent. (Intentionally repetitive.) &nbsp;For what love is, refer to 1 John 4.7-21. &nbsp;They, love and discipline, go hand in hand. &nbsp;There are plenty of people who feel spanking is violent and that's fine for them. &nbsp;Spanking may not be a good option for discipline in their family. &nbsp;But I want to talk about the rod a little bit more.<br /><br />What is the rod? &nbsp;Keep in mind that society in Biblical times was primarily agrarian. &nbsp;Much of the illustrations in the OT and the NT reflect this society, that is why there are parables about farming and stories about shepherding. &nbsp;These things were familiar to the culture and the people could get their metaphorical meanings. &nbsp;The rod was a tool used by shepherds to protect their flock from predators. &nbsp;The rod was not used to pummel the sheep into submitting to the shepherd's will, it was used to protect. &nbsp;The shepherd's staff had a crook on the end of it that could be used to snag the sheep from dangerous situations, but that is just FYI for this particular blog posting. &nbsp;Back to the rod, it was used for protection, but I want to flush this out a little more.<br /><br /><blockquote>The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. &nbsp;He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. &nbsp;He leads me in right paths for his name's sake. &nbsp;Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff--they comfort me. &nbsp;Psalms 23.1-4 (NRSV).</blockquote>So most of us are familiar with the 23rd Psalm. &nbsp;With this passage in mind, do we view God as using his shepherd's rod for abusive purposes? &nbsp;When we deviate an iota from God's path for us, do we envision God knocking us on the head with his rod to get us back in line? &nbsp;Or do we see God placing people, circumstances, events, and discernment in our lives to lovingly bring us back to where we belong? &nbsp; We know that God loves us, cares for us, allows us to mess up and lovingly turns his face upon us. <br /><br />Using the rod is disciplining in a loving and caring manner, protecting children from predators, I don't think, though, &nbsp;that it is a mandate for spanking, slapping, swatting, etc.... &nbsp;I don't think this because the mandate can, has, and will be taken too far and the "rod" won't be used for loving guiding discipline.<br /><br />Now for the tricky part. &nbsp;Anyone with a half-way decent concordance can find that Proverbs has another verse referring to using the rod as discipline for your children. &nbsp;This verse is actually kind of disturbing for me:<br /><br /><blockquote>Do not withhold discipline from your children; if you beat them with a rod, they will not die. &nbsp;If you beat them with the rod, you will save their lives from Sheol. &nbsp;Proverbs 23.13-14. (NRSV)</blockquote>So now literally, "If you beat...they will not die." &nbsp;Ok, ok. &nbsp;So the writer of Proverbs did have in mind that the rod be used upon some of the reader's children as a tool of physical discipline. &nbsp;Here is what I have to say to this: &nbsp;"Maybe so, but not in a harmful, abusive manner." &nbsp;No never, never, never. &nbsp;We as parent's are to take care of our children, all children, ours, our neighbors, etc.... &nbsp;The reason for this is because we live in a time where we reconcile and place into conversation with each other the wisdom and teaching in the OT with the wisdom and teaching of Christ in the NT.<br /><br />In Matthew, Jesus is talking about stumbling blocks or temptations to sin. &nbsp;He says, in regards to children,<br /><br /><blockquote>If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea. &nbsp;Matthew 18.6. (NRSV)</blockquote>Now that's serious. &nbsp;I have to think of this verse any time I am with children, not just my little bean either...any kids. &nbsp;There is a profound innocence and for those parents who have sat with their infant long before pseudo-words were formed, long before they could communicate, and all they could do was cry and we had to figure out what it was about....these parents have seen the divinity residing in the sleeping child, residing in the eyes of the content child just gazing back upon you. &nbsp;An abusive use of the rod strips this divinity away. &nbsp;An abusive use of the rod provides a stumbling block for the child, and it would be better for you to have a stone around your neck and tossed into the sea.<br /><br />Let me wind this down. &nbsp;All of this is to say that disciplining your children is warranted and necessary. &nbsp;The overuse of "Spare the rod, spoil the child," &nbsp;without real thought, provides a doorway for an irresponsible Biblical interpretation to mandate that "I can beat my child if I want to, Spare the rod and all that stuff." &nbsp;(In my best Appalachian accent I can muster.) &nbsp;No, we don't want to spare the rod. &nbsp;Our children need our guidance, they need our discipline. &nbsp;And remember that when we think of this verse, we have to also remember how a true shepherd uses the rod: &nbsp;for protection of his flock--thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. &nbsp;They don't inflict pain, harm, or instill fear--they <b>comfort</b>&nbsp;me.<br /><br />Shalom, Grace, and Blessings.<br /><br />J.Rat.J.Rat.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18049935822036143386noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1088787288090854230.post-53513731140520481442010-08-18T10:26:00.000-04:002010-08-18T10:28:54.230-04:00What's your calling?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Call. &nbsp;Most often the term is used when people feel led by God into the ministry. &nbsp;"I am called to the ministry of the church to be a pastor." &nbsp;Yet, I think for most persons of faith, their call does not necessarily mean with the church. &nbsp;Many of you career minded, and not so career minded people may agree with me. &nbsp;For example, I think that nurses are called to their jobs. &nbsp;I would hazard a guess and say that my wife would agree with the statement that she is called to Social Work. Both of these careers are a ministry and a calling to take care of others who were also made Imago Dei.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">My struggle is that I know I am called, but have not discerned my niche. &nbsp;I am called to ministry; ordained ministry, chaplaincy, non-paid ministry...to be truthful, I don't know. &nbsp;Oftentimes, I have not prayed enough for discernment. &nbsp;Oftentimes, I plain flat put my own wishes and desires in the way. &nbsp;I do, however, feel that my calling was, is, and will be multi-faceted. &nbsp;I wrote in a previous posting that I am learning to be happy in the moment. &nbsp;I am embracing what God has for me now, today. &nbsp;I would be remiss if I didn't look toward the future, but I cannot dwell upon what might be or what might should be and miss everything that is. &nbsp;Today I am called to my family, to continue to learn how to be the leader of my household. &nbsp;Tomorrow, I may be called to lead a church, or shepherd the physically, emotionally, spiritually, or psychologically ill. &nbsp;I don't know, nor should I let the unknown consume me. &nbsp;To be cliche, I continue working on letting go and letting God, and remain in the peace and grace of the current moment.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Shalom, Grace, and Blessings.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">J.Rat.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br /><blockquote>And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? Matthew 6:27 (NRSV).</blockquote><blockquote>For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. &nbsp;For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. &nbsp;Isaiah 55.8-9. &nbsp;(NRSV)</blockquote>J.Rat.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18049935822036143386noreply@blogger.com1